Ok, I know this has probably been done to death but I need to know if anyone has tried this.
I have found the Minnesota 4 front canopy which I know will fit (although I believe the clips are different but will still work). I also know that the Vango Icarus will fit and is much cheaper but I dont really want to have a mismatched tent.
So the question is, I found the Oakland XL Side Canopy and looking at how it sets up, fibre glass poles etc, I wondered if anyone had tried to fit one to the side of the Virginia? And if no one has tried it, what are the thoughts of the more informed (than us) members out there, do you think it would work?
In my mind, the width doesnt matter as its not covering the whole of the tent but the height is a little taller, however, as it wraps over the tent, I wondered if this was a problem?
I dont mind whether I have a front or a side canopy, I would just like a canopy to cook in and store wet boots and I am really hoping as the side one would work as it's £60 and the Minnesota is £160! Big difference.
If the worst comes to the worst, we will buy the Minnesota and swallow the price, we have talked about it and decided that we want a proper set up and we also want our lovely little Ginny to last us for a good few years, either as our main tent like it is now or as a weekender when we decide to go a bit bigger but if we dont buy the canopy now, they wont be available anymore so we need to make a choice.
We will just buy things in order of importance so that we can get everything we need in time for our big break in October and have set ourselves a maximum budget per month to do it :)
Thanks for your help folks :)
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
(formerly Kate1978)
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Outwell dont normally make side extensions for their 3 pole tents as its difficult to get a good fit. The material that goes over the tent normally overlaps 2 or 3 poles by around 10 to 15 cm and these provide a seal and take the weight of the fabric but they also need an upright wall either side as the canopy splays out. What you have to be careful of is any excess unsupported material will flap around in the slightest breeze and it will keep you awake at night as it hits the roof. Having said that I have seen a vango side canopy fitted to a vango Icarus 500 there was quite a bit of a gap where the front of the tent sloped down at a steeper angle than the canopy. You could try the side canopy and if youre not happy with it resell it
Post last edited on 12/07/2012 17:39:41
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
That's a good idea, I suppose if you don't try you don't know.
After I'd posted this thread I found a photo of one attached on here so I've asked that member how they did it and how they felt it went, see what they say :)
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
Good luck with whatever you decide to do its a shame they stopped making the front extension but I seem to remember the Virginia was exclusive to yeomans
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Yes it was although not now. We shall see what happens :)
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
I thought it was the Oakland XL too. I think we will take Arsendales advice and just buy it and try it, if it doesnt work, I can sell it on an only lose a few quid.
I'm trying to make contact with that camper who uploaded the photo though to ask their advice as well, if I get a reply, I'll let you know!
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
(formerly Kate1978)
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Yeomans have just started selling the Virginia 5 again. It may be worth while getting in touch with them and finding out if they intend on stocking the front extension
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
Thanks for that, I'll try that. The only thing with these "special" ones is that the prices are far higher because they need to get them made.
I'll email them though and post the reply here.
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
Great stuff Kate. Fingers crossed. If you don't ask, you will never know
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
(formerly Kate1978)
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
"I'm afraid Outwell no longer make the accessories for the Virginia 5, so we will not be getting any more extensions in now. As for alternative models you can use, the best fit of the ones that we've tried is the Vango Icarus 500 extension. It's certainly not a perfect fit, but it's the closest we've managed to find"
Personally, I dont want to get the icarus if I can avoid it, I'd rather pay more for the minnesota and have it all matching or ideally the Oakland side canopy which is cheaper but at least we know that the Icarus is a good option and the Virginia extension wont be coming back!
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
That's a shame they won't be selling the extension. We got our extension last year and it does make a difference. At least you know now and can start planning which alternative to go for
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
So I got a reply from the man whose tent is photographed, here is his exact words,
The extension that was on the side of our tent was the Outwell Oakland XL side extension. It sat on the side of the tent like a silk glove! Obviously it wasn’t meant for the Virginia 5, but it fits perfectly.
I hope this helps people :) x
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
Us too, going to buy one at the end of this month, £60 is a big difference to £160! We'll use it for cooking and we have king poles for the front door if we need to, win win all round :)
------------- July - Honeybridge Park, West Sussex
August - 1 night somewhere close to home.
September - Swanage
October - Continent, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France
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Topic: Virginia 5 extensions?
